Coronavirus and policymaking: Mario Draghi didn’t just say ‘whatever it takes’ March 24, 2020 These are unprecedented times. Our lives as we know them have been upended: the comforts of routine squarely thrown out of the window and replaced with a combination of anxiety and dread. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 is a black swan that no one saw coming (though we should have been better equipped) and has [...]
Getting through the Covid-19 pandemic will require markets as well as strong government March 24, 2020 Covid-19 is a major shock to our system. With the UK speeding towards lockdown and much of Europe in similar or worse straits, this crisis — as with most crises — is causing people to look to their governments. This is both understandable and necessary. Rishi Sunak’s excellent pledges (and performances) last week reassured tens [...]
Coronavirus: Brokerage fee automation is a must in the current downturn March 24, 2020 Investment banks are embroiled in an unforeseen cost crisis when trading over the counter (OTC) markets, driven by a surge in swaps, interest rates, oil and currency derivative volumes. This month, some of the world’s largest interdealer brokers, who negotiate OTC trades between the big banks, have seen record trading volumes as sudden changes in [...]
Deliveroo founder urges PM to back takeaway sector during coronavirus crisis March 23, 2020 The founder of the food delivery app Deliveroo has urged the government to relieve the pressure on supermarkets during the coronavirus crisis by funding a public information campaign explaining the safety of takeaway outlets. Will Shu has written a letter to the prime minister to say that the package of economic support announced by the [...]
HMRC to give ‘special treatment’ to expats stuck in UK due to coronavirus March 23, 2020 HM Revenue & Customs has issued advice to British expatriates stuck in the UK due to coronavirus over tax residence rules. The tax authority will allow special treatment to be given to expatriates that face risking their non-residence tax status through being stuck in the UK longer than anticipated. The Financial Times reported that British [...]
Coronavirus: Prime Minister announces unprecedented lockdown across UK as government battles Covid-19 March 23, 2020 The Prime Minister has imposed unprecedented restrictions on people’s movements, which will be enforced through the police, in a desperate bid to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. In a historic address to the nation, Boris Johnson revealed that people would only be allowed to leave their home for “very limited purposes” including shopping for basic [...]
Stockpiling: Shoppers buying ‘a few extra items’ driving shelf shortages March 23, 2020 Empty supermarket shelves have been caused by customers adding an extra few items to their baskets and making more trips rather than stockpiling, according to the latest data. The average spend per supermarket trip jumped 16 per cent in the week ending 17 March to £22.13 compared to the same week a month ago. Meanwhile, [...]
Coronavirus: FCA rules out UK short-selling ban March 23, 2020 City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) today ruled out a ban on short-selling saying there was no evidence it was behind recent market falls. Countries such as Italy and Spain have introduced restrictions on short-selling to try and help prevent market volatility as the coronavirus pandemic causes economic chaos. “There is no evidence that [...]
Coronavirus: Dominic Raab calls for all British travellers to return to the UK March 23, 2020 The UK’s foreign secretary Dominic Raab today called for all British travellers to return home while international travel was still possible amid the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, Raab changed travel advice to warn UK travellers against all but essential international travel in the next 30 days. But today, he said that the pace at which [...]
Gold stockpiles depleted as coronavirus increases demand March 23, 2020 Global stockpiles of gold bullion have been severely depleted by the coronavirus outbreak as investors rush to put money into the safe haven assets. According to the Financial Times, European producers have struggled to keep up with the heightened demand, which is reportedly running at around five times normal levels, due to factories being shuttered [...]
